Picking Canada’s ARC Squad

The new-look Americas Rugby Championship (ARC) is only three weeks away, and a group of 28-30 players is due to be announced by Rugby Canada in about a week’s time. While these matches will be fully-capped internationals, the team will be without some 40-odd players due to overseas commitments and the long overdue separation of the sevens program. To a lesser extent there are also players in the u20 program who might have been given an early look, and one or two could well get a run later in the competition.

It’s interesting to note that the vast majority of the squad was picked and informed of selection prior to Kieran Crowley’s departure. Before Christmas he said that the choices would be made based on past form in the Canadian Rugby Championship (CRC). Interim coach François Ratier is not expected to make many – if any – changes to the original roster, though we are told that there are still a couple names yet to be confirmed ahead of the squad reveal.

Before we dive into the squad, we first have to identify who the 20 carded sevens athletes are to remove them from contention. Liam Middleton has not made that list public, but it shouldn’t be too difficult to figure it out on our own. Starting with 14 players who took part on the first two stops of the 2015-16 HSBC circuit, we have:

Admir Cejvanovic, Nanyak Dala, Justin Douglas, Sean Duke, Mike Fuailefau, Nathan Hirayama, Harry Jones, Pat Kay, Phil Mack, John Moonlight, Matt Mullins, Conor Trainor, Sean White, and Adam Zaruba.

Add in Lucas Hammond, the captain of the Maple Leafs development side and part of the senior group that played at the St. Petersburg Sevens in October. Connor Braid, Liam Underwood, and Mike Scholz have all played significant roles over the past year so it’s safe to assume they are also on the list, while we also know that u20 star Andrew Coe is in that group. That leaves one open spot, likely one of Phil Berna, Luke Bradley, or Mitch Santilli. The latter is injured and the other two are part of this year’s u20 program, so aren’t likely to get a call for the ARC anyway.

Now that we have that sorted, let’s try and figure out who’s left.

PROP (5-6)

Unavailable – Tom Dolezel (retired), Jason Marshall (Agen), Jacob Rumball (Hong Kong), Andrew Tiedemann (Bourgoin), Matt Tierney (u20/Pau), Doug Wooldridge (Clermont)

Despite being without six pretty decent props, the options here are actually pretty decent. Three World Cup members should be there. At loosehead Hubert Buydens lends some much needed experience and Djustice Sears-Duru is back in country after not getting picked up for a full-time contract at Leicester. Jake Ilnicki is the third, getting a shot at first choice tighthead for now in the absence of Marshall, Wooldridge, and Tiedemann. A fourth looks likely to be Ryan Kotlewski, the Wolf Pack tighthead who spent last season in Australia after impressing in the Pacific Challenge with Canada ‘A’. After that things get tricky.

Part of the problem – and this is a recurring theme – is that if we limit ourselves strictly to players who have appeared in the CRC, we must exclude a number of promising players, particularly in British Columbia, who might otherwise have been strongly considered. Kotlewski, for example, did not appear in the 2015 CRC but was a standout in 2014. It’s probably best to assume that the vast majority will be selected based on CRC form, but with resources thinned there will surely be one or two exceptions.

Back to our prop stocks. We can assume there will be five props in the group, and possibly six. Loosehead options look to come from BC, with Burnaby Lake veteran Anthony Luca, James Bay’s Noah Barker, and John Braddock of Castaway Wanderers possibly in the mix. Braddock is a New Zealander who is now eligible on residency. None have really put a permanent stamp on the Bears no1 shirt, so it’s hard to choose one from the bunch.

Tierney is already a mountain of a man at 19 years of age and a blue chip long-term, but his priorities will be first with the u20 side and then with Pau. Could we see him make a cameo later on in the tourney? Unless Chris Taylor has reconsidered, the right-sided props would appear to be Ryan Ackerman, Neil Courtney, and Cody McClary. Another option could be Liam Beaulieu, another frightening prospect of unusual size currently lining up for James Bay. Ryan March might have been in the running, but he seems to have dropped off the radar since being called up to the senior side as a 20-year-old for the 2013 November tour to Europe.

HOOKER (3)

Unavailable – Benoît Pifféro (Blagnac)

Out of three World Cup hookers it looks like we’re down to one. Aaron Carpenter would be the other, but he looks to have discarded the hooker experiment so we’ll consider him a loose forward for the purpose of this exercise. That leaves Ray Barkwill, who like Buydens should be a key member of a team very short on experience.

Owen Parfrey was in the group that prepared for the Pacific Nations Cup, but nearing his 31st birthday it would be a surprise to see him included with a desperate need for younger players to make their name. Matt Harrison has emerged as a prospect at the Wolf Pack, and both Eric Howard and Sawyer Herron from Ontario should be in the running. Former national u20 standout Alex Mascott is the starter at UBC and only missed out on the CRC because of injury. He’s highly rated by the West Coast crowd and would not be a surprise selection.

One who would be is Paddy Finlay, last year’s dynamite u20 star. He would be a savvy addition but looks unlikely to be named given his school commitments at Trinity College in Dublin. A longshot could be Clayton Thornber, a big lad who bizarrely converted from wing to prop and is now giving hooker a go. He has a ways to go technically but certainly offers unique physical dimensions to the rest.

SECOND ROW (4)

Unavailable – Brett Beukeboom (Cornish Pirates), Jamie Cudmore (Clermont), Aaron Flagg (Moseley), Tyler Hotson (Doncaster), Jon Phelan (Doncaster), Cameron Pierce (Pau)

This would have been an ideal time for someone like Pierce to come in and get a good, but alas he has pro commitments so he’ll just have to wait until June. Cudmore of course won’t be playing, but sources have said that he has firmly thrown his hat into the ring for a coaching spot, so his name could well be on the squad list – possibly as a forwards coach! Wouldn’t that be fun?

From the World Cup group we’re left with Evan Olmstead, who has said that he will be back in country soon to prepare. The next name up should be Callum Morrison, now over 30 but hugely committed and needed for experience. He could even be a dark horse to lead the side, though surely Buydens is the favorite for that role.

Kyle Baillie has perhaps slipped out of sight since a good showing in the old ARC in 2014, but he should be a near-certainty having returned from a season in Australia with Easts. The PEI native now resides in Halifax and his versatility – an effective lock or blindside – and athleticism should put him in the side.

A spot could go to Ontario’s Paul Ciulini or BC’s Liam Chisholm. The former looks a good bet having impressed with the u20s last season. He has good strength and likes the rough stuff which makes up for his shortcoming in the height department. Chisholm, on the other hand, is a solid 6’7”, exactly the type of profile the selectors are looking for, but is unproven beyond club level. Reegan O’Gorman is an excellent prospect who could be an option later on in the tournament in between his u20 commitments.

BACK ROW (5 – 6)

Unavailable – Tyler Ardron (Ospreys), Justin Blanchet (Bedford), Aaron Carpenter (Cornish Pirates), Admir Cejvanovic (7s), Nanyak Dala (7s), Kyle Gilmour (Rotherham), Matt Heaton (Otley), John Moonlight (7s), Matt Mullins (7s), Chauncey O’Toole (work), Jebb Sinclair (London Irish), Richard Thorpe (London Welsh)

Here is where the team takes a massive blow, with virtually all of its senior players unavailable. In fact, unless someone answers an SOS, Thyssen de Goede should be the only capped player in the back row. Pacific Challenge teammates Alistair Clark and Seb Pearson look good bets, though Pearson was battling a serious injury towards the end of last year.

Matt Mullins should be playing in the ARC but instead looks to have been stolen by the 7s program. If he isn’t chosen for the upcoming tournaments and instead sits on the sidelines, heads should roll. Interesting flankers Justin Blanchet and Matt Heaton are unlikely to be included with overseas commitments. Both should think about a return to Canadian shores in the near future if they hope to challenge for international honours.

National u20 captain Lucas Rumball should get the nod – but will his education at Queen’s University get in the way? It could be that he’s only included for part of the tournament to minimise his educational disruptions. Mike Hamson was a standout for the Rock in last year’s CRC and though he isn’t the youngest – he’ll be 28 in March – he is a good player capable of playing no7 or no8 comfortably. BC’s groundhog Chase Kelliher isn’t the biggest, but likely the most effective fetcher available.

Outsiders could be Mike Sheppard of Ontario, capable of covering lock or loose forward, or the highly promising Connor Hamilton. A two-time u20 team member who captained the side in 2014, Hamilton’s athleticism has seen him move from lock to no8 with good effect for UBC. He has not appeared in the CRC yet but it’s hard to dismiss his obvious potential. Another is Argentine-born Lucas Albornoz, though it’s hard to stand out as a back row when you’re playing in the centres for Castaway Wanderers.

HALFBACKS (4-5)

Unavailable – Nathan Hirayama (7s), Phil Mack (7s), Shane O’Leary (Connacht), Sean White (7s), Liam Underwood (7s)

We’re saying halfbacks here instead of specifically scrum- and fly-half for a good reason. Canada’s most limited position in recent times is at no10, and with the two World Cup options both out, we’re down to slim pickings. That means the versatility of the scrumhalves is going to come into play. Both Gordon McRorie and Jamie Mackenzie should be expected to be included, and could well be the starting halfback pairing. McRorie, of course, has played both positions for the Wolf Pack and Canada ‘A’, while Mackenzie has been spotted playing flyhalf for the Ravens recently. Neither would be ideal, but they are options.

The replacement for Phil Mack must surely be Ontario’s Andrew Ferguson. Cruelly overlooked by selectors ahead of the World Cup, the Blues playmaker has been the standout halfback in the CRC outside of McRorie over the past two seasons. Look for him to finally get a shot at full international honours over the next few weeks. BC duo Jorden Sandover-Best and James Pitblado would be the next names on the list, with the latter another who has played both no9 and no10 in the past.

At least one specialist flyhalf will be chosen, and that should be UVic’s Grady Bowd. The converted centre excelled for the Wolf Pack last season and has the potential to make the step up to test rugby. Patrick Parfrey is a certainty to be included but is most effective as an inside centre, though he could see time at either positions.

CENTRES (3-4)

Unavailable – George Barton (Clermont), Connor Braid (7s), Mike Fuailefau (7s), Ciaran Hearn (London Irish), Conor Trainor (7s)

Another spot that has been stripped bare, only Nick Blevins and injury call-up Parfrey remain from the World Cup. Barton is only 18 and will be with the u20s but is another who might be an exciting addition as a reserve in a game or two. Jordan Wilson-Ross has been used all over the park for James Bay recently and should finally get a look in the midfield after being picked as a wing for Canada until now.

Others in contention could include last year’s u20 goal kicker Guiseppe du Toit, an option at flyhalf or inside centre, and Australia import Sam Hayward, a tall centre or fullback from the 2014 junior side that was seen recently in the Maple Leafs 7s side. Former Wales u21 player Nathan Rees is now eligible on residency and could be a more experienced option, while Quebec’s Charles DeBove has shown promise in the CRC with the Atlantic Rock. Now 30 years old, it seems unlikely that Mozac Samson will be included despite his outstanding displays in Calgary last year.

OUTSIDE BACKS (4-5)

Unavailable – Sean Duke (7s), Matt Evans (Cornish Pirates), Lucas Hammond (7s), Jeff Hassler (Ospreys), Harry Jones (7s), Pat Kay (7s), Phil Mackenzie (Sale), Taylor Paris (Agen), James Pritchard (retired), Adam Zaruba (7s)

Exactly zero outside backs from the World Cup will be lining up, which means there will be an entirely new group of wings and fullbacks for the tournament. An exception may be Phil Mackenzie, who popped up last year in the Pacific Challenge and could do again given that he has yet to make an appearance in the Sale first team this season. Mackenzie could view the ARC as an opportunity to put himself in the shop window with the likelihood that he will be looking for a new home next season.

The Ontario trio of Jake Webster, Dan Moor, and Jon West have all been seen in Canada colours of various levels in the past three years, and all should merit strong consideration. Former u20 fullback West has jumped back into contention after showing good form with the Blues last season. Moor has been capped by the ‘A’ side and can also cover centre, while the quick feet of Webster have been spotted on the 7s side at the beginning of last season.

BC could supply the versatile Sean Ferguson, who can cover anywhere from 10 to 15, and strong running left winger Karsten Leitner is a good bet to make it after impressing with last year’s u20 side. From the East, look out for Truro’s Brett Johnson. The fastest player in the CRC is short in stature but incredibly rapid. It’s a complete mystery how he’s been left out of the sevens program given his ability to beat the first tackler virtually every time he touches the ball.

Outside bets, pun intended, could be the Rock’s goal kicking utility Paddy McNicholas, and another slender figure in BC’s Caleb Hansen. Wolf Pack wingers Graham Turner and Duncan Maguire weren’t as prominent in 2015 as they were a year before, and Canadian-qualified Kiwi fullback Shea O’Hallahan missed last year’s tournament altogether.

CONCLUSION

Depending on who is available it looks like there will be between 12-15 capped players in the side, which means half the group will be new players. The list above isn’t exhaustive, and there could well be a couple players included that aren’t mentioned. When you have to cast the net far and wide you never know what might turn up. After milling through many of the same players over the past few years, it’s exciting to see new names pop up, some with star potential, and here’s hoping some youngsters take their chances with both hands.

Looking at the likely strength of the other sides, Canada could finish anywhere between 2nd and 5th. Argentina are the obvious favorites for the title, and Uruguay will be no slouches with the majority of their World Cup side available. The USA will be in a similar spot to Canada, with a lot of new caps, and even Chile could prove difficult having beaten Uruguay last May. Whatever happens, we have international rugby returning in three weeks to break up the winter doldrums. It’s hard to complain about that.